Doctor Strange 2 director Sam Raimi recalls ‘coincidental’ reference to character in Spider-Man 2

‘I wish we had the foresight to know that I was going to be involved in the project’

Sam Raimi, director of Sony’s Spider-Man trilogy, has confirmed he will direct the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

The film will serve as a sequel to 2016’s Doctor Strange, whose eponymous protagonist was portrayed by Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch.

Speaking to Coming Soon, Raimi revealed his involvement in the MCU project, while commenting on a comedic reference to the character of Doctor Strange that appeared in Spider-Man 2.

In the 2002 film, the character of Ted Hoffman – played by the director’s brother, Ted Raimi – can be seen discussing possible monikers to give to Otto Octavius with Daily Bugle editor J Jonah Jameson (JK Simmons). Before settling on Dr octopus, Jameson discards Doctor Strange” as a choice as it’s already been taken.

“When we had that moment in Spider-Man 2, I had no idea that we would ever be making a Doctor Strange movie, so it was really funny to me that coincidentally that line was in the movie,” he said.

“I gotta say I wish we had the foresight to know that I was going to be involved in the project.”

He continued: “I loved Doctor Strange as a kid, but he was always after Spider-Man and Batman for me, he was probably at number five for me of great comic book characters.”

Raimi, who started out primarily as a horror film director, was at the helm for 2002’s Spider-Man, as well as sequels in 2004 and 2007.

The first instalment in the trilogy marked the first time the comic book character had featured in a live-action piece on the big screen.

Raimi had been rumoured to be involved in the Doctor Strange sequel since Scott Derrickson’s departure from the project earlier this year.

Derrickson’s exit led to criticism from Marvel fans, who claimed the move was a result of Disney’s unwillingness to venture into the horror genre.

Raimi’s background in horror films may therefore restore some faith among fans of the franchise and character.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was originally set to be released in May 2021, but will now be released in November 2021 due to coronavirus delays.